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Types of care projects: Kindergartens, special needs centres, victim support group

Age: 3+

Number of people cared for: varied

Role: Volunteers work on achieving the goals set out in the Care Management Plan, including running educational games and group activities, providing emotional support and helping improve general hygiene

Accommodation: Host families

Price: From

What’s included? Food, accommodation, transfers to and from our specified airport, transport to and from work where required, insurance, personal webpage, induction and orientation, 24/7 staff support

What’s not included? Flights, visa costs, spending money

Length of placement: From 1 week

Start dates: Flexible

Samoa in the South Pacific is a country with ancient traditions and strong cultural roots. Although Samoa attracts many tourists to its paradise beaches, it remains on the United Nations list of least developed nations and especially in the urban centres levels of deprivation have increased.

Volunteering on a Care project in Samoa is a great way to get involved with the local community of this proud and welcoming island nation. Care volunteers can join us during a gap year, summer placement or career break.

Volunteers with any relevant qualifications and experience are welcome but you do not need to have either to volunteer. Energy and a commitment to the local children and the work at hand should see you through.

Voluntary Work with Kindergartens and Special Needs Children

Our Care placements are based in and around Samoa’s capital, Apia, on the coast of Upolu island. Volunteers work in kindergartens and centres for children with special needs

Volunteers working at the kindergartens provide local staff with a helping hand, looking after and caring for the children. It is also the perfect opportunity to put any skills and interests you have to use, whether it is arts and crafts, or teaching games and songs to the children - your suggestions will always be well received. By showing initiative and enthusiasm the options available are endless.

The work with the disabled children can be demanding, but also very rewarding. Spending one on one time with a child with extra needs can really help to boost their progress, whether it be helping them to write their name, or playing a game in the garden.

Volunteering Abroad on a Care Project in Samoa

In addition to working in kindergartens and with children who have special needs, we also work with Samoa Victim Support Group who provide much needed shelter and support to victims of domestic and sexual abuse. People who attend the three centres often have nowhere else to go so they appreciate all the assistance they can get, whether it be spending time with the young mothers and helping to look after their babies, providing guidance on health and hygiene, running classes for the children who are not attending school or just being a general helping hand around the centre.

Once a week, Projects Abroad runs an activity programme for children who are forced to sell on the streets. They are aged between 7 and 17 years and they have lived tough lives. They are out selling until very late at night due to the pressure of making the money to take home to their family. The children meet at the office once a week and the volunteers help them with homework, teach them songs and play games. The purpose of the weekly programme is to offer them a space where they can have fun and be children who laugh and enjoy life. We aim to help them understand the importance of going to school, and to equip them with the skills to help get them off the streets in the future.

Whether you are helping children with disabilities gain more confidence, helping older children with school homework, reading a story to the younger ones or supporting young mothers and their children through difficult times, you will be an essential part of their development. Please let our local staff know about any particular skills or preferences you may have when you apply.

Care volunteers in Samoa receive regular workshops run by the Projects Abroad team. The workshops will provide you with a valuable insight into the care system in Samoa and the background of your placement. You will also discuss ideas for activities, including arts & crafts and games to try at your care placement.

Volunteers normally live with a host family within a short bus ride from their project.

You can join the Care project in Samoa for one, two or three weeks if you don't have time to join us for four weeks or more. This project has been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for short term volunteering for both the host community and the volunteer Although you will gain a valuable cultural insight and work within the local community please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone volunteering for a longer period.

This placement is fully researched, safety audited and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.